Jordan Travel Guide
Everything you need to know before you go — from Petra's Treasury to Wadi Rum's desert skies.
Interested in visiting? View the Jordan destination page →
Overview
Jordan rewards travelers who arrive with curiosity and leave with something harder to define — a feeling that they've touched something genuinely ancient. It is a small country by Middle Eastern standards, but its geographic and historical range is extraordinary: Roman cities, Nabataean rock carvings, Crusader castles, Byzantine mosaics, and desert landscapes that shift from red sand dunes to highland forest within a single day's drive. The country sits at the crossroads of the Levant, bordered by Israel and Palestine to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and east, Iraq to the northeast, and Syria to the north. That geographic position — at the meeting point of civilisations for millennia — explains why so much history accumulated here. Petra alone was the capital of a trade empire that stretched from the Hejaz to the Mediterranean. Travel here is straightforward by regional standards. Amman is a modern, navigable capital with good hotels across all price points. The road south to Petra and Wadi Rum is well maintained and clearly signed. The Dead Sea is an hour from the city centre. Jordan is one of the few destinations in the Middle East where a traveler can move independently without difficulty — though having ARTA arrange the details means you spend your time experiencing rather than organising. The best time to visit is October through April, when temperatures are mild and the desert is at its most dramatic. Summer (June–August) brings intense heat to Wadi Rum and the Jordan Valley. Petra requires significant walking, and doing it in crisp autumn air is a fundamentally different experience from doing it in summer heat.
Top Attractions
Petra
The defining image of Jordan and one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites on earth. The Nabataean civilisation carved an entire city into the rose-red sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan. Access is through the Siq — a narrow 1.2km gorge whose walls reach 80 metres high — which makes the first glimpse of the Treasury one of the great dramatic reveals in travel. The site opens daily at 06:00 AM. Arrive at opening to experience the Treasury before the crowds build. Allow a full day minimum; two days is better.
Wadi Rum
A UNESCO World Heritage protected desert valley covering 720 square kilometres of sandstone mountains, granite outcrops, red sand dunes, and ancient rock inscriptions. Lawrence of Arabia was here. The landscape is genuinely alien and genuinely beautiful. The best way to experience it is a half-day jeep tour followed by an overnight stay in a Bedouin camp — dinner around a fire, then one of the clearest night skies you will ever see.
The Dead Sea
At 430 metres below sea level, the lowest point on the surface of the earth. The water is approximately ten times saltier than the ocean, making it impossible to sink. The mineral-rich black mud that lines the shore is applied as a skin treatment. Sunset from the Jordanian shore is quietly spectacular. Most visitors come for a half-day; staying overnight at one of the Dead Sea resort hotels is worth the cost.
Jerash
Forty-eight kilometres north of Amman, Jerash is the best-preserved Roman provincial city outside Italy. The colonnaded main street, the Oval Plaza, the Temple of Artemis, and two theatres that still host performances are in a state of preservation that makes other Roman ruins look fragmentary by comparison. It is consistently underrated relative to Petra and consistently surprises visitors who make the detour.
Amman
The capital is not just a transit hub. The old city holds the Roman Theatre, the Citadel with its Umayyad Palace and archaeological museum, and the souks of central Amman. Rainbow Street in the Jabal Amman neighbourhood has the best concentration of cafes, restaurants, and independent shops. The city repays a day of genuine exploration before heading south.
Madaba and Mount Nebo
An hour south of Amman, Madaba is known for its Byzantine-era mosaic map of the Holy Land, still visible on the floor of St George's Church. Mount Nebo is the site from which Moses is said to have looked out over the Promised Land. Both make a natural half-day stop en route to the Dead Sea or Petra.
Local Culture & Cuisine
Jordanian hospitality operates on principles that predate tourism by centuries. The guest is honoured. Tea — sweet, black, sometimes flavoured with sage — is offered before any transaction or conversation. Refusing it is mildly impolite; accepting it and drinking slowly is the correct social rhythm. In Bedouin contexts, coffee (qahwa) served in small handle-less cups is the equivalent — bitter, cardamom-spiced, refilled until you shake the cup to signal you've had enough. The national dish is mansaf: lamb slow-cooked in fermented dried yoghurt (jameed), served over rice and flatbread, eaten communally from a large platter. It is served at weddings, at funerals, and as the highest expression of hospitality a Jordanian family can offer a guest. If you are invited to share mansaf in someone's home, accept. Everyday Jordanian food is built around mezze — small shared dishes of hummus, mutabbal, fattoush, kibbeh, and vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs. Bread is central to every meal; the thin, slightly charred taboon bread baked in a clay oven is particularly good. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites and conservative areas — shoulders and knees covered is the standard. Friday is the day of rest; many businesses operate on reduced hours. The working week runs Sunday to Thursday.
Practical Information
- Visa
- The Jordan Pass (purchased online before arrival at jordanpass.jo) waives the standard 40 JOD tourist entry visa fee if you purchase before arrival and stay a minimum of 3 consecutive nights. It covers entry to Petra and over 40 other attractions. Note: the Jordan Pass is not available to citizens of Arab League nations. ARTA confirms Jordan Pass eligibility and visa requirements per passport at time of booking.
- Currency
- Jordanian Dinar (JOD). The dinar is pegged to the US dollar at approximately 1 JOD = 1.41 USD and has been stable for decades. ATMs are widely available in Amman and tourist areas. Cash is expected at smaller restaurants, souks, and rural sites.
- Language
- Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, tourist sites, and by most Jordanians under 50 in urban areas.
- Getting Around
- Renting a car gives the most flexibility for the Amman–Dead Sea–Petra–Wadi Rum circuit. JETT buses connect major cities reliably. ARTA arranges private transfers for all inter-city movement as standard.
- Best Time to Visit
- October through April. March and April bring wildflowers to the highlands. December and January can be cold, occasionally with snow in Amman and Petra.
- Safety
- Jordan is one of the most stable and safe countries in the region for international travelers. Tourist areas are well-policed.
Suggested Itineraries
3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Amman — Citadel, Roman Theatre, downtown souks, dinner on Rainbow Street. Day 2: Dead Sea morning, Madaba mosaic and Mount Nebo afternoon. Day 3: Jerash full morning, return to Amman for departure.
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1–2: Amman — city exploration, day trip to Jerash on Day 2. Day 3: Dead Sea — float, mud treatment, sunset. Overnight at Dead Sea resort. Day 4: Drive south via Madaba and Mount Nebo. Arrive Petra late afternoon, walk the Siq at sunset. Day 5: Petra full day — Treasury, High Place of Sacrifice, Monastery. Day 6: Wadi Rum — morning jeep tour, afternoon at leisure, overnight Bedouin camp. Day 7: Drive back to Amman via Desert Highway. Departure from Queen Alia Airport.
Travel Tips
- Buy the Jordan Pass online before you fly — confirm eligibility for your passport nationality before purchasing. It covers Petra entry and saves significantly on a 7-day trip.
- Start Petra at 06:00 AM when the site opens. The Treasury in the first hour, before tour groups arrive, is a fundamentally different experience from midday.
- Wear proper footwear in Petra — the site covers 264 square kilometres and even a half-day involves several kilometres of walking on uneven stone.
- Don't skip Jerash. It is consistently the site visitors say surprised them most.
- Negotiate jeep tour prices in Wadi Rum before you start — agree duration, route, and price clearly upfront. ARTA handles all of this as part of your itinerary.
- The Dead Sea stings any open cuts or scratches intensely. Petroleum jelly applied beforehand helps significantly.
- Carry small denomination dinars for tips, entrance fees at minor sites, and souk purchases.
- Jordanian sim cards are inexpensive and widely available at the airport on arrival.
Let ARTA build the itinerary around what you've just read.